OT: Tigers lose again, 6-5 to Royals

Submitted by ppudge on
Two one-run losses to KC to start the 2nd half. Not exactly what all the experts thought since Ll the articles over the All Star break centered on how the Tigers would run away with the division in the 2nd half. They still may but this team is maddening to watch. Is Leyland's job in jeopardy? Should it be?

SalvatoreQuattro

July 20th, 2013 at 10:29 PM ^

but this franchise is greatly overrated. No team gets less with more than  the Tigers. Verlander is in a year -ong funk, the bullpen blows, and the hitting is awful past the 7th inning. The Tigers are not going to win a World Series anytime soon with the team Dombrowski has assembled.

ChopBlock

July 20th, 2013 at 10:42 PM ^

Tribe and the Tigers both lost today. This might not be as bad as the NL West from a few years ago (when the Padres won the division at 82-80), but it's close.

MGoBlue96

July 21st, 2013 at 2:15 AM ^

have been so far, I would be pretty shocked if the Tigers don't have at least 90 wins at the end of season, assuming they acquire another reliable bullpen arm. The Indians on the other hand have a much lower ceiling, assuming they don't go out and acquire a true ace pitcher, which I don't see happening.

cp4three2

July 20th, 2013 at 11:24 PM ^

Outside of closer, is there any position we would upgrade? First, no. Second? No. Short. Not really. Third. Obviously not. Right? No. Center? No. Left...maybe, I guess. Ace? No. Number two? No. I guess you could try to get cliff lee or something for Fister? Would we do that? No.

So...we need a closer. They play 162 for a reason.

WMUgoblue

July 21st, 2013 at 1:21 AM ^

Aside from obvious bullpen help they could probably use some bench help as well. With Omar still not back from the DL and Santiago continuing to flounder at the plate it would be wise to try and find some depth at 2nd or Short.

MGoBlue96

July 21st, 2013 at 2:30 AM ^

a save yet as the closer and has been lights out, so I don't agree that they need a closer. They  need another reliable bullpen arm, whether that is a set up guy or a closer really doesn't matter.

GoBlueUSMC

July 21st, 2013 at 1:42 PM ^

Castellanos has been hitting very well in AAA and will do more for the team in left than Dirks or Tuiassasoppo can do. I don't understand why he hasn't been brought up.

uminks

July 20th, 2013 at 11:34 PM ^

I don't think they will go far in the playoffs, if they win the central. There will not be a wildcard from the central division that is for sure! But it could be worse, remember the Tigers in the mid and late 70s, then again in the 90s. At least they are more competitive in recent years.

MGoBlue96

July 21st, 2013 at 2:11 AM ^

Can Leyland bat for guys late in the game? This team is built to slug the ball, there is only so much Leyland can do if they aren't doing that late in the games. He can't simply run into outs by calling steals late in the game with a team lacking in speed. Other than hit and running and pinch hitting guys to get more favorable matchups (which he does), what else could he do to try and create runs late in the games? Perfect example of that was tonight in the 8th, he played small ball to try and get runs by sac bunting with Jackson, but the next two batters didn't come through to drive the runs in, that is on the players not Leyland.

The other half of that equation is the bullpen. The Tigers don't have enough reliable arms in the bullpen at the moment that Leyland can count on, how exactly is that his fault? He has to go with the guys he has, other than Smyly and Benoit his reliable options are somewhat limited.

I will say if the Tigers don't go deep into the playoffs, it may be time for the Tigers and Leyland to part ways, but more so to get a different voice in the clubhouse, because Leyland is not a bad manager when it comes to in game decisions.

WMUgoblue

July 21st, 2013 at 2:26 AM ^

Not necessarily disagreeing with your posts, hell that's mainly how I feel as well but some of Leyland's late game tactics can be questioned.



Tonight for example in the 8th Aaron Crow couldn't find the plate and with 2 men on nobody out he asked Jackson to lay down a sac bunt, that's a fine strategy and all but twice AJ worked himself into a great hitters count and Crow was missing the plate pretty badly. To have one of your best hitters have to lay down a bunt on a 3-1 count when the pitcher clearly doesn't have it is pretty asinine. Now obviously this strategy works if Torii or Miggy get the runner in from 3rd but they didn't so its open for debate.

MGoBlue96

July 21st, 2013 at 2:42 AM ^

swung the bats I think one of them coming through was a reasonable bet to make. The issue I have with people is they criticize Leyland when he doesn't play small ball and goes the slug the ball route, and than turn around and criticize him when he does play small ball as well. That is a no win situation.

I also would not claim that Leyland is perfect when it comes his decision making (leaving Coke in to face right handed batters for example). He makes mistakes, but people really need to watch some other teams if they think any manager in the league always makes the correct decision.

Like I said the issue I have with Leyland at the moment, is related to the fact that this team doesn't seem to have a consistent focus game to game, and while alot of that is on the players, some of that issue also stems back to the manager. May be a situation where the players need a new voice. I still believe Leyland is a good manager in most respects, but it might be one of those type of situations.

Joshisbowler

July 21st, 2013 at 7:57 AM ^

batting average. most of those guys coach themselves anyway. When a lineup like that gets TWO HITS that tells me the hitting coach did not have them prepared for that pitcher. With the talent in that lineup they should be getting at least three runs a game

Dilithium Wings

July 21st, 2013 at 1:55 AM ^

The tigers won't run awhile will the central or win the World Series until they part ways with Smoky Treats. The tigers are the most talented team on paper. There's no reason why we should be battling to stay in first place with Cleveland, while playing in one of the worst divisions.

MGoBlue96

July 21st, 2013 at 1:56 AM ^

this year, everytime they look like they are going to take off they drop a series to an inferior team. Obviously, this team needs another arm in the bullpen, though I disagree with the notion that it has to be a closer since Benoit has been perfect so far as the closer. Others have already said it, but despite the issues in the pen with the pieces this team has there is no reason why they shouldn't be runing away with this division.

I am pretty concerned with Verlander at the moment though, he has not been himself at all this year, if this team is going to go deep in the playoffs again they need JV to start looking like JV. Avila is the other guy that concerns me, it is baffling how much he is struggling considering he was an All-Star only two years ago. Hopefully he is not a one hit wonder type of player.

As far as Leyland goes I have always been somebody who has defended Leyland for the most part, but if this team doesn't go deep in the playoffs it might be time for him and the Tigers to part ways. I don't know if it is his managing style, or what, but there is a lack of focus from this team on a day to day basis. I understand Leyland's philosophy about not getting to upset about a loss, it makes perfect sense considering how long the season is, but I am not sure this team values each game as much as they should.

At the end of the day I still believe this team is capable of winning a World Series, assuming they make a deal for a bullpen piece, but for that to happen they have to start playing more consistent and need guys like JV to start peforming.

 

TheGhostofChappuis

July 21st, 2013 at 2:44 AM ^

Leyland sucks and so do the Tigers.  Forget bankruptcy, the whole city of Detroit just needs a nuke dropped on it.

BlueinGR

July 21st, 2013 at 2:34 PM ^

Dude, go home.  (1) the Tigers are the defending AL champs and are currently leading their division, again.  (2) If you've ever spent any time in Detroit, you'd know that it is, despite all popular misconceptions, a pretty cool city.  Does it have its problems?  Of course.  But, it is rich in tradition and has lots more going for it than many other cities in the country.

exmtroj

July 21st, 2013 at 2:58 AM ^

Verlander is just following the old Detroit tradition of getting a massive new contract and then fading into the sunset. Must be taking lessons from Franzen.

Leonhall

July 21st, 2013 at 8:53 AM ^

Need another bullpen arm, doesn't have to be a closer IMO. Like someone else mentioned, another utility infielder would be good but probably not a necessity. In addition to a bullpen arm, I think they need a major upgrade in left field. Dirks has not been good for over a month and Tui...is not an everyday player IMO. I'm not sure who is available, but I don't think anybody on their roster is the answer in left.

cjpops

July 21st, 2013 at 10:19 AM ^

They were in it until Hunter and Cabrera grounded out to end the 8th. Heck, Leyland even had AJ bunt the runners into scoring position just prior to that flying in the face of the common fan complaint that Leyland doesn't try to manufacture runs. Seems to me that the 2 All Stars had bad at-bats at the wrong time.

They're not perfect. Can't win every game. Sometimes, I think the expectations are a little high for these guys.

BraveWolverine730

July 21st, 2013 at 10:47 AM ^

Well Tigers fans at least your mangager doesn't bat a guy with a sub .300 OBP in the leadoff spot. Also you didn't waste a huge FA contract on a guy who has brought absolutely nothing to the team. I mean I guess I can't really complain with the division lead, but given the choice between Leyland and Fredi Gonalez, I'd take the former 10 out of 10 times. 

uminks

July 21st, 2013 at 7:26 PM ^

They just have to concentrate on winning series...then they should be fine until the playoffs. At least we play well against Cleveland!